When Besa Sadiku arrived in the United States in 2013, she had a bachelor’s degree in economics, management and informatics from a university in her native Kosovo.
“I realized that having a degree in a different language and from a different system made it hard for me to get a job in that field here,” she said. “I wasn’t able to do what I wanted to do professionally. Instead of giving up, I focused on learning English, adapting to a new culture and building a family here.”
Twelve years later, Sadiku walked the graduation stage in December 2025 after earning Boise State University’s online Bachelor of Business Administration in Management.
“After a nearly 10-year break from school, I had two kids,” she said. “When my kids grew a little bit and started school, I felt like it was a good time for me to return to my education, as well. That’s when I applied to Boise State. I was able to get some of the credits from my previous bachelor’s degree approved for transfer.”
Sadiku is also an entrepreneur. She started a side business, Gem State Charcuterie, in 2020 as she and her husband, Tim, have been raising their children, Rina, 9, and Gent, 8. They live in Meridian, Idaho.
“It was more about passion and a little bit of extra income,” she said. “I am passionate about food — not just to cook, but to look pretty, as well. While I was a full-time student, my main focus was school and family, so I wasn’t able to fully dedicate time to growing it.
“As I move forward, my priority is building a career using my Boise State degree, while keeping this a hobby and seeing where the future leads.”
Boise State proved to be the right fit for Sadiku, who had to put her English skills to work even more as an online student.
“It was not easy, raising two kids and trying to do something like running a small business,” she said. “There were moments of self-doubt about my English — especially in my classes when we had to record videos.
“I would compare myself to my English-speaking classmates. But, when I would get good feedback from my instructors and earn points on the project, I would think, ‘I’m doing great.’ Feedback kept me going.”
Home away from home
Sadiku graduated with her first bachelor’s degree from FAMA Gjilan in 2011. She made a quick connection to Boise State when she moved to Idaho.
“When I first got here, I would drive through Boise State,” she said. “I always wanted to be part of it. I had a meeting with an advisor in 2013, but back then the transfer credits were so new to them. My English was also not as good as it is now. I am still working on it.”
Once she finally became a Bronco in April 2023, Sadiku seized the opportunity to learn about business and higher education in the United States.
“Every time I started a class, I would say, ‘Oh my God, I don’t know how I’m going to do it,’ in the first two weeks,” she said. “Then, I would talk to my husband and tell him that it’s hard.
“By the end, I’d always say, ‘This is my favorite. I loved, I learned, I grew.’ I liked all of them. The High Leadership and High Performance I really enjoyed. I learned a lot about leading.”
Sadiku has also been able to apply the knowledge from the online Bachelor of Business Administration in Management program curriculum to her business.
“I took a Growth in Hacking marketing class that helped me a lot,” she said. “It was all useful. It was different from what I learned in Kosovo, maybe because of the long break.
“When I went to college, it was more hands-on, writing with a paper and a notebook. This time going to school it was all my Google Doc and writing on my computer.”
The overall experience of earning a degree online is one that Sadiku cherishes — especially since it was at Boise State.
“My journey at Boise State has strengthened my confidence, pushed me to grow and helped me discover new passions,” she said. “Some of my favorite moments have been connecting with classmates and applying what I’ve learned directly to my business.”
Blue heaven
Sadiku put the finishing touches on her second bachelor’s degree by walking the graduation stage at commencement. Her family members in Kosovo watched the ceremony online.
“I shed a tear or two,” she said. “Having my kids and my husband there made it extra special — especially showing my kids that everything is possible and hard work pays off. It was amazing.”
After a break from school, Sadiku plans to return to Boise State to earn a Master of Business Administration in business management. She also hopes to someday work for the university.
“The advisors have played a big role in my life, helping me with classes and anything I needed,” she said. “I’d like to be an advisor at Boise State. Down the road, I’d like to be a part of COBE (the College of Business and Economics). Once I get a job, I am planning to get my MBA in business management.”
Sadiku believes that Boise State’s online degree programs are ideal for anyone looking to reach their higher education goals.
“I wouldn’t hesitate,” she said. “For non-traditional students or 20-year-olds who want to work and earn a degree online, it’s an amazing opportunity you have in this age we live in.
“Boise State’s instructors and advisors are amazing. They’re very supportive and are always there to help you. My kids and family motivated me, but the staff at Boise State was always so nice and supportive with positive feedback all of the time.”
With a degree from an American institution under her belt, Sadiku looks forward to seeing what the future holds.
“This journey has meant so much to me,” she said. “I truly believe that once a Bronco, always a Bronco. I’m excited for this next chapter and grateful to stay connected to the Bronco community as I keep growing and learning.”
Learn more about the business administration program
Earning an online Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Boise State University can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online degree is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.
Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.
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